Although most of the plants in my butterfly garden are finished blooming for the winter, some of flowering plants continued to bloom in late December and early January.
Mexican Sunflower in December
Hibiscus in December
Sunflower under bird feeder in January
The milkweed is blooming and attracting Monarch butterflies. Because Hurricane Irma destroyed my butterfly garden in 2017 there were no butterflies or caterpillars last winter. I replanted the garden in the spring of 2018 and in December, 2018 I was thrilled to find monarchs and caterpillars on the milkweed once again.
Monarch on milkweed in JanuaryMonarch Caterpillar
Two days later, this caterpillar had changed into a chrysalis.
Monarch Chrysalis December 24, 2018
I checked on the chrysalis every day. A week later, on New Year’s Eve, it was starting to change.
Week old monarch chrysalis after rain December 31, 2018
I continued checking on it daily and I could see subtle changes each day. Just when I knew it wouldn’t be long before a butterfly emerged, I found it lying on the ground the morning of January 5. We did some research on the internet to find out if there was anything we could do to save it. We tied it to a branch with piece of thread and let it hang in a jar. It’s been over a week since then and still there is no change.
We rescued the Chrysalis after it fell on the ground on January 5, 2019
I wish there had been a happier ending to this post. I’m sad to say that our butterfly didn’t make it.
Our 2018 was filled with a few short RV trips, Daytona 500, parades, festivals, Universal Studios Orlando, gardening, Georgia Bulldogs, wildlife, beaches, mountains, and lots of fun!
Icicles in January
Start/Finish line at Daytona 500
Glass bottom boat at Silver Springs
Bagpipes at Savannah Scottish Games
Tybee Irish Heritage Parade Junkanoo from the Bahamas
Universal Studios, Florida
The Tybee Island Lighthouse displays the American Flag on 9/11/18 in honor of all those lost on 9/11/2001
This photo of the walkway at the beach shows us a lighthouse when we look away from the beach.
Swallowtail
Painted Bunting on twisted vines
Mexican Sunflower
Georgia Peaches from Ellabell, Georgia
Boat ride in Georgia waters near Tybee Island
Sanford Stadium at UGA
TEAL Walk Savannah 2018
Osprey looks over the salt marsh
Early morning in the Georgia Salt Marsh
Fall brings wading birds to the Georgia salt marsh
Wandering Dawgs at the top of Brasstown Bald
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Big Shoals trail on the Suwannee River
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
These days we are taking shorter RV trips and staying close to our home state of Georgia. It’s no wonder that this year our top three parks are either in Georgia or Florida. All three campgrounds are parks we have returned to numerous times during the years.
Number 3 – Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, FL
We’ve been returning to this park over and over since we first discovered it in 2009. This year we camped here twice. Spring flowers were blooming in late February and the Festival of Lights were the highlight of our December stay.
February Azaleas blooming in White Springs
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
All of the sites are large with water and electric hookups, a fire ring and picnic table. The bells from the carillon tower can be heard all through the campground.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Located on the Suwannee River, the park has a museum honoring Stephen Foster, hiking and biking trails (currently closed for maintenance), a gift shop and craft village with local artisans. Just outside the park is the historic Spring House and the town of White Springs.
Located less than 15 miles from Athens and the University of Georgia, this private park is well maintained with large sites, sparkling clean bath houses, full hookups, and fantastic staff.
Whether you stay here to attend a Georgia Bulldogs football game, to visit the University of Georgia or are just passing through, this quiet campground can’t be beat.
Number 1 – Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, FL
Silver Springs State Park
By far one of our favorite Florida state parks, we have returned to Silver Springs State Park a number of times since we first discovered it in 2009. The sites are all very large with fire rings, picnic tables, water and electric hookups. A few of the sites have been upgraded to full hookup. The bath houses are clean and each one has a washer and dryer.
Located close to the three campground loops are hiking and biking trails, an educational center, and observation decks on the Silver River. Just up the road at the Silver Springs Historic Entrance are the famous Glass Bottom Boat Tours, canoe and kayak launch and rental, more walking trails, a gift shop and snack bar.
Glass bottom boat at Silver SpringsKayaking the Silver River at Silver SpringsSilver River
Many birds and other wildlife can be seen in the park. Watch out for the monkeys!
Monkeys in Florida?
Gopher Tortoise by our campsite at Silver Springs State Park
Always a favorite, we camped this February at Stephen C. Foster State Park, Fargo, GA, Number 2 in our “Best Campgrounds of the Year – 2016“.
River Vista Mountain Village, Dillard, GA – This large, well maintained private park in the north eastern Georgia mountains is a great location to use as a home base to explore the area. There’s more about our latest stay at Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2019 filled with safe travels and happy trails!
I love viewing Christmas Lights and one of my favorite displays is at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center in White Springs, Florida. We first stumbled upon the festival a few years ago when we stayed at the campground on our way south. This December we met friends there for a few days.
All the buildings were decorated for the holidays. Christmas music from the Carillon tower could be heard all around the park several times a day.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center Museum
During the days we enjoyed exploring in and around the park. The weather was chilly and the Suwannee River was high.
Suwannee River in White Springs, FL
We were able to explore the historic Spring House on the Suwannee River early in the week before the river level became too high to reach it.
Spring House in White Springs, FL
The Suwannee River level kept rising all week. By the end of the week the Spring House was surrounded by water. The photos below illustrate just how high he river rose. On the left is the way it looked when we were there in February earlier this year, and on the right is the way it looked at the end of our stay in December.
Spring House at White Springs, Florida
Suwanee River at the Spring House
One day we enjoyed a picnic under the oak trees after walking along a trail beside the river in Big Shoals State Park. The river was swift and so high we couldn’t see the shoals.
Big Shoals trail on the Suwannee River
One afternoon we stopped at the Carillon Tower to hear Jan play her Mountain Dulcimer and play the Steinway Grand Piano that was once owned by Andrew Carnegie. I’ve never heard a piano that sounded so beautiful.
This Steinway Grand Piano in the Carillon Tower was once owned by Andrew Carnegie
White Springs was once a thriving tourist destination with several hotels. A fire in 1911 destroyed all the hotels except for the Telford which is still standing. We took a walking tour of downtown White Springs and enjoyed seeing the historic buildings.
The Telford Hotel in White Springs, FL
Adams Country Store in White Springs, FL
At night, the park came to life with the Christmas light displays.
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center
We had a great week hanging out with our friends and exploring the park and White Springs.
Nearly 50 years ago I first stepped foot on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia as a freshman. Through the years I have returned to Athens too many times to count. I have so many wonderful memories of Athens – walking through campus on my way to class, meeting my husband and getting married in Athens, eight years in a row as parents of UGA students, and many Georgia Bulldogs home football games.
We recently enjoyed wandering around Athens and the University campus on a beautiful late fall afternoon.
Brilliant autumn colors on the UGA campus
Vibrant autumn colors on the UGA campus
We stopped to see two interesting sights unique to Athens. A double barrelled cannon, the only one known of its kind, stands in front of City Hall. The Tree that Owns Itself grows in the middle of a quiet neighborhood.
The only known Double Barrelled Cannon
The Tree that Owns Itself
The Tree that Owns Itself, Athens, Georgia
Athens has always been famous for it’s music scene. Bands like the B-52’s, R.E.M., Drive By Truckers, Pylon, Love Tractor and many others performed at the 40 Watt club in their early days. Widespread Panic played at Fraternity houses back in the early 1990’s. When the Georgia Theatre, a beautiful historic concert hall, burned in 2009 it was restored and reopened in 2011. Wuxtry Records, opened in 1976, is still selling vinyl records.
40 Watt Club
The Georgia Theatre, a popular concert hall, was destroyed by fire in 2009 and rebuilt in 2011
Wuxtry Records since 1976
The University of Georgia is the birthplace of higher public education in America. Established on January 27, 1785, the University of Georgia is the nation’s oldest land grant university. North Campus is right across the street from downtown Athens.
When I was a student, freshman weren’t allowed to walk under the arch
Herty Field, the location of the first collegiate football game played in the state of Georgia in 1892
After a Georgia Bulldogs football win, the chapel bell rings all night
The chapel bell
Down the hill a short way from north campus is Sanford Stadium, home of the Georgia Bulldogs. We’ve seen several expansions to the stadium over the years and have spent many Saturday afternoons and nights in the stands cheering on the Dawgs.
Sanford Stadium
Sanford Stadium
Sanford Stadium
Greek life is a big part of student life at the University of Georgia. As we drove along Milledge Avenue we passed by many of the beautiful fraternity and sorority houses. The Theta Chi house is my favorite. I’m a little biased because it’s Henry’s fraternity.
Theta Chi Fraternity
Through the years many restaurants have come and gone. These are three memorable places to eat in Athens.
Diners at The Grill in downtown Athens have been enjoying the 50’s diner decor, huge burgers, thick milkshakes and more since 1981
Since 1962, customers at the Varsity have been greeted with “What’ll ya have… What’ll ya have?”
Last Resort Grill serves delicious food using fresh grown produce from local farmers
A lot has changed in Athens over the years but a visit there will always bring back good memories for me.
Wandering Dawgs 